Aerial bomb and launching mechanism therefor



D. G. EDWARDS. l AERIAL BOMB AND LAUNCHING NIECHANISM THEREFOR.

APPLICATION Fl ED M Y2, 9 1,363,578. L A 'g Patented Dec. 28,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.'

. D. G. EDWARDS'r AERIAL BOMB AND LAUNCHING MECHANISIW THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2. I9I9.

1,363,578. Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

S14/venten D. G. EDWARDS.

AERIAL BOMB AND LAUNCHING MECHANISM THEREFOR- APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1919.

Patented Dee. 289 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- m n@ Q In LI GNN@ a citizen of the United States- PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL G. EDWARDS, 0F HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY'.4

AERIALBOMB AND LAUNCHI'NG MECHANISM THEREFOR. y

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. as, i920.

Application filed May 2, 1919. Serial No. 294,180.

'To all whom t may cof/wem Be it known that I, DANIEL G. EDWARDS, residing at Hopkinsville, in the county of (Jhristian and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Aerial Bombs and Launching Mechanism Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to bombs designed to be released from aircraft flying over either land or water, and to mechanism for holding and releasing said bombs.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a bomb which will explode a predetermined distance above the earth, either the ground or water; to provide a two-part bomb, one part of which will explode upon the earth, either ground or water, and the other part at a predetermined distance above the earth, the explosion of both parts being controlled by impact of said first-mentioned part upon the earth; an electrically fired bomb which may be safely carried. by aircraft and readily launched or released with.- out danger of an explosion in the vicinity of the aircraft; an electrically iired bomb in which the firing circuit is prepared by the act of releasing the bomb and completed by impact with the earth; an electrically fired two-part bomb having a parachute and com-` `bined with launching or releasing mechanism arranged to unlatch the parts of the bomb and also initiate the opening of the parachute; an electrically fired bomb hav.-

' ling a parachute for acting upon the bomb during its descent and connected to prepare the firing circuit during its opening. These and other objects will more fully appear hereinafter. Y

In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a bomb having two separate parts, each of which parts-carries explosive, the parts being itted together so that the rear part is inserted into the rearl end of the front part with a powerful spring between the parts for the purpose of separating them. Normally the spring-is held compressed by the parts being latched together, and thisA latch is designed to be. released when the bomb is dropped from the aircraft, or it may be released for inspection, by means of a rod which extends at, the rearward part of the bomb.

f The two parts are provided with a distanceJ connection which may be an electrical cord or chain,`carrying the conductors for the firing circuit of the two parts.. This distance connection may be of any desired length, the length being determined in accordance -with the distance which it is desired shall exist between the two parts when explosion takes place. The forward part o f the bomb is intended to carry high explosive to destroy the ground surface, and the rearward to carry either gas, liquid fire, shrapnel, or plain explosive according to the object to be destroyed.

The ring circuit for controlling 'the firmg means in each part of the bomb includes an impact 'operative switch on the forward part, which completes the circuit upon.` impact of this part with the earth, either ,ground or water.

i the rearward part of the bomb. This mechanism constitutes a safety device for pre-4 venting the bomb from exploding accidentally at the same time it is released, if for any reason the switch on the forward part of the bomb should have been already acciden'- tally or inadvertently closed before the bomb is launched. The .action of the parachute also causes the rearwardpart of the bomb `to lag behind the forward part during. its

flight-s0 that when impact of the forward part occurs, the two parts will be usually separated by the whole length of the distance connection.

The invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts of a bomb and releasing mechanism therefor hereinafter describedand claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section through the bomb, the parts being in the latched or closed position; a

Fig. 2 is a-similar'view, the parts being unlatched and the partial separation of the parts being shown;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary'view on la slightly enlarged scale showing the storage cap which lshown inI Figs. 1*, 2 and L3 for the latch releasing rod;

sor

y to the shell ofthe rearward Fig. 5 is a View in elevation, on a reduced scale, showing the bomb in condition of ig. 6 is a detail showing the impact operative switch of the forward part of the bomb;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentar section taken in a plane at right angles to t e section of Fig. l; Fig..8 is a diagram of the electric firing circuit;

side elevation of the bomb launching or releasing4 mechanism;

Fig. 10 is an end view of the retaining and. releasing arms of said mechanism;

Fig. 1l is a detached view of the cam rod for Aoperating said retaining and releasing arms; l

Fig.; ,1 2 is an enlarged View of the parachute mechanism and the switch controlled thereby. i

Referring to the drawings, and vfirst particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, it will be seen that the bomb comprisesa forward part 10 and a rearward part 11. These parts are normally held together by a latching mechanism which includes the following instrumentalit1es. The rearward .part 11 of the bomb is provided with a forwardly extending flange 12 which is an extensionV or part ofna cup.

Shaped member of which 13 extends across anditrmwsa forward wall of the rearward part 11. his cup shaped member is secured part in any suitable manner, as by rivets 14. ,v

y Extending inwardly from near the rearward edge of the shell of the forward part 10 are latching pins 15, which coperate with spring latch members 16 mounted within cup. shaped member 13. The forwardly extending flange 12 is provided with notches '17 forl the admission of latch ,pins 15.

In order to cause the quick and positive separation of parts 10 and 11, I provide a powerful coil spring 18 which when the parts are in the latched position is compressed between the oforward part of the cup shaped member 13 .and the diaphragm 19 at the rear of the forward part 10. This sprlng surthe latching members 16 in vorder to clear the lpins 15. The fingers 22 are carried on a suitlaus .rounds the spring barrel 20, within which is inclosed the distance connection 21 of the parts, to 'be hereinafter more fully described.

In order to `effect the unlatchingof the parts, fingers 22 are provided, ,these being provided with oblique surfaces arranged so that when advanced theywill press inwardly able member 23 which is mounted, upon an operating rod 24 extending back through the rearward part 11 and through the outer wall thereof. This operatin rodis inclosed within a'housing l25 so as be separated from the explosion chamber 26 of the rearward part, and has a reduced diameter for vthe greater portion of its 4length as shown when said rod is moved to its inward position it will be locked by engagement of thev arms` 31 with' notch 30.

Between the end cap 29 and the explosion chamber 26, is provided a partition 32 through which extends kthe detonator v33 for the charge of the rearward part, this detonator being of any preferred type, but being shown as electrically actuated. .The source of .current is shown at battery 34 located within the end vchamber at the rear of the rearward section, this battery being mounted in a cup 34- of insulating material. and held therein by springs mounted upon a ring 35 of insulating. material secured to the inner face of cap 29., The detonator 33,

which is' mounted upon the insulation cup or partition 19 and the circuit connections are through coperating contacts 38. The terminals of these contacts a're connected by circuit wires respectively with ,the firing cir cuit including impact operative switch in the forward sectlon which comprises a spring39 'andsprinuf 40 suitably mounted and inclosedv within a housing 41 within the explosive chamber 36. Said springs are provided with forward bends '42 43 shaped to inclose a detachable member 44 which is.

shown as a heavy ball. While this insulated ball is in position, said springs are held out of contact with a bridging member 45, and the circuit remains open. When said ball is displaced, however, the electrical connection between springs 39, and 40 is completed through bridging contact 45.

The detailsof the above construction preferably include the various mountings as shown in the drawings, insulating ring 46 being provided for the mounting of the various electrical connections. The spring barrel 20 has a threaded boss 47 which screwsl into the base of the switch housing then slipped into place and the switch housing screwed in the central aperture. The insulation ring 46 is then placed in position carrying the detonator, and the spring barrel is screwed into place until the contacts are firmly engaged.

The distance connection 21 consists of any suitable cable and includes circuit conductors which constitute the electrical connection between the forward and rearward partsfof the bomb. This distance connection is attached to the ,forward part 10atr 48, and to the rearward part at points 49 and 50. The cableis contained within the spring barrel which constitutes its housing, while the parts are connected, and is adapted to be fed out as the distance between the parts increases after they are disconnected.

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that each of the detonators 33 and 37 is connected on one side to the spring contacts 39 and 40 respectively, and on the other side to one side 51 of the disabling or safety switch. The other side 52 of said switch is connected to one side of battery 34, the other side of battery being connected to the common contact 45 of the impact operative switch. It

will thus be seen that when the safety switch 51--52 is open, the firing circuit cannot be closed by said impact operative switch. While the bomb is in storage or inl shipment, the latch controlling rod 24 is held in its normal position by means of. a screw`53 7which engages a thread inthe end of said rod, and also a capl 54 which is screwed into the end cap 29 of the rear part ofthe bomb. The circuit conductors from the forward part 10 of the bomb pass through'the central bore ofthe latch controlling rod 24, which is made tubular for the purpose, and the contact springs 51-52 of the safety or disabling switch are mounted within this tube near the rear end thereof as shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 12. This switch is adapted to be controlled by the mechanism to be described in connection with the parachute of the rear part 11 of the bomb. This parachute 55 is preferably an umbrella like structure of which the tubular stem 56 screws into the threaded socket at. the outer end of operating rod 24, this connection taking place of the screw 53 and cap 54 after removal of these parts when the bomb is being prepared for use. The ribs 57 of the parachute have their outer ends in engagesv ment with a flanged .collar 58 which is slldable upon tubular stem 56 and is engaged by an arm 59 of the launching mechanism to be presently described. Compression spring 60 is mounted within a housing 61 and has a tendency to force ribs 57 outwardly by itsaction upon arms 62 when released by the movement of collar 58 to clear the outer ends of the ribs. The inner ends of the ribs connect with arms 63 which have a pin and slot connection with a central rod 64 which extends through the hollow stem 56 and carries on its inner end an insulation section 65 and'also a conductive section 66, for coperation with switch springs 51 and 52.I When the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 12, the insulation section 65 is between contact springs 51 and 52 and hence the safety or disabling switch-thus constituted .is open. arms move outwardly and rod 64 is moved inwardly to place conductive section 66'into enga ement with said contact spring 51 and 5,2, t e safety or disabling switch is closed and the circuit is in condition to be completed by the impact operative switch in the lforward part 10 of the bomb.

Y plane or other machine, beneath which the bomb is 'intended to be carried for the urpose of being launched or dropped. ivotally mounted upon the lower side of the support 67, upon suitable brackets 68, are two pairs of holding and releasing arms,

When the parachute each pair consisting of a curved portion 69 adapted to engage the outer surface of the bomb, and pivoted at 70, 71 to the bracket. Extending beyond said pivot are short lugs 72, 73 by means of which the arms are operated through the agency ofva cam rod 74. This cam rod is provided with cam slots or surfaces 75, 76 which engage said lug 72 and 73, when the cam rod is moved longitudinally within the brackets. This cam rod is adapted to be operated by a hand lever 77 suitably mounted upon the frame 67.

The forward end or nose of the bomb is preferablyengaged by an arm or stirrup -7 8 which is mounted upon and hinged to a bracket 79 so as to swing forwardly when the cam rod 74 is operated to release the enga ement of arms 69 with the bomb.

' he rear end of cam rod 74 is connected with and actuates an arm 8O which engages the end of rod 24 for the purpose of unlatching the two parts of the bomb.

The parachute tripping means comprises an arm4 59 which is part ofthe bell crank lever, theother arm ofwhich, 59,vengages the bomb then completes the-opening of the parachute and the forward movement of switch rod 64. y

The operation of the apparatus will be readily understood from the foregoing, but may preferably be described as follows The operator grasps lever 77 and moves the same rearwardly with a positive action, thereby advancing cam rod 74 which opens the holding arms 69 and moves stirrup 78 out of engagement with the nose of the bomb. At the same time, arm 80 is moved forwardly, thereby advancin the latch re-` leasing rod'24 which moves gers 22forwardly and thereby presses inwardlylatch springs 16 out of'engagement -with hin 15, thereby unlatching the twol parts of -t e bomb. Thisleaves the powerful compression spring 18 free to act, which thereby initiates the separation of the two parts of -the bomb.

At the same timethat this takes place, the

forward motion of -arm 59, as above ex- .y plained, initiates the opening of the parachute by releasing the forward ends of rods 57 and thus permitting these ends to move l. outwardly, which openlng progressesbut is not immediately completed. as itvv requires some little interval of time. The opening 0I the parachute advances switch rod 64.130 close the safety switch contact 51-52 thereby Aclosing the firing circuit through the conductor 66, but this does not take place vuntil after the bomb has progressed a considerable distance from the alrcraft, so-y that if by -any chance the impactswitch on the forward part of the bomb had been accidentally closed, the explosion would not occur in the immediate vicinity of the airplane and hence no damage would be done.

When the retarding action of thev parachute begins to widen the distance between the parts of the bomb, the distance connection 21 is paid out from its .inclosmg barrel until the parts are separated to the -full extent of said connection, the yparachute also serving to keep the sequence of motion of the bomb parts in proper order. r

The final action of the bomb will of course occur upon impact of the forward portion with the'ground or water against which it is aimed, when the switch contacts39 and 40 will act and both'partsof the bomb willv explode, one upon the surface of impact and theoother part above said surface the distance as allowed by the distance connection.

The advantages of this construction will be readily apparent. Any number of the bombs may be arranged upon the aircraft and released separately or simultaneously as desired. The two parts of the bomb may be made of anyv desired size or particular construction, and the proper explosive used 1n each part to accomplish the'results intended.

. It is obvious that many modifications in i details of construction-and relation of parts` may be made without departing from the invention', and these I aim to cover within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1'. A bomb com rising two parts latch'ed together, means or unlatching the parts, and a spring for separating. the parts when unlatched.

2. A bomb comprising two'l parts latched together and each provided wlth explosive, means `for unlatching the parts,` andmeans carried by one part for controlling the explosion ofl both parts.

3. A bomb comprising two parts latched together and each provided withl explosive, means for unlatching the parts, a spring for separating the parts when unlatched, a distance connection between the parts, and

means carried by one part for lcontrolling the firing ofthat part and for. controlling through saidl distance connection the firing of the other part.

4. A bomb comprising a forward part and a rearward part separably lheld together and each provided with explosive, means forseparating the parts, an electric battery in said' rearward part, and electricalmeanscarried by the forward part to control the irin of bothrpartsl after separation.

5. A bomb comprising a forward part and' a rearward part separably held together and each provided'with explosive, means for separating saidparts, av source of electric current in said rearward' part, a distance connection for the parts, firing means for lthe explosive in each part, and electric contact` means carriedby the forward part for operating the firing means ofthatpart and for operating through said distance connection the firing means of the rearward part.

'6. A bomb comprising a forward part and a rearward partseparably lheld together and each provided with explosive, means for separating said parts, a source of electric current in saidrearwa'rd part, firing means for the explosivev in each' part,a distancev connection between the parts, andelectricalv meanscontrolled from the forwardl part to operate the firing means on both parts after separation. j

7. A bomb' comprising a forward part and a rearward part separably held together and mesme source of current, and a switch on said,

forward part for completing said circuit.

8. A bomb comprising a forward part and a rearward part separably held together and each provided with explosive, electrical ring means for the explosive in each part, a distance connection between the parts, an electric circuit extending through said connection which includes said firing means and a source of current, and a switch on said forward part for completing said circuit.

` 9i' A bomb comprising a forward part and a rearward part separably held together and each provided with explosive, firing means for the explosive in eacn part, a distance connection between the parts, an electricA circuit extending through said connection which controls said firing means and a source of current, and an impact operated switch on said forward part for completing said circuit.

10. A bomb comprising 'a forward part and a rearward part separably secured together and each provided with explosive, a distance connection between the parts, an electric circuit extending through said connection which controls said firing means and a source of current, and means for causing the rearward part to lag behind the forward part to the extent of said distance connec tion during Hight.

11, A bomb comprising a forward part and a rearward part each provided with ex-b. plosive, and means for causing said parts to explode upon and above the surface ofI the earth respectively at the moment whenl the forward ,part reaches the end of its' flight.

12. A bomb comprising a forward part and a rearward part separably secured together and each provided with explosive, a distance connection between the parts, an electric circuit extending through said co'nnection which controls said firing means and a source of current, and a parachute mounted upon the rearward part to cause said part to lag behind the forward part during Hight. A

13. A bomb comprising a forward part and a rearward part separably secured to- `gether and each provided with explosive, a

distance connection between the parts, an.

electric circuit extending through said connection which controls said irmg means and a source of current, and a parachute mounted upon said rearward partand the opening of which is mechanically mltiated when said bomb is launched. l

14. A bomb comprising a. forward part and a rearward part separably held together and each Iprovided with explosive, riri means for t e explosive in each part, a dlstance connection between the parts, an electric circuit extending through said connection which controls said firing means and a source of current, a parachute mounted upon the rearward part for causing said part to lag behind the forward part during Hight, and means carried by the forward part for controlling the ring means on both parts.

i 15. A bombl comprising a forward part.- `and a rearward part' separably secured together and each provided with explosive, a distance connection between the parts, an electric circuit extending through said connection which controls said ring means and a source of current, means for positively causing the separation of the parts when the bomb is launched, a parachute for causing the rearward part to lag behind the forwardpart during flight, and means for initiatingthe opening of said parachute when the lbomb is launched.

16. The combination of a bomb launching device and a bomb comprisingtwo parts latched together and each provided with explosive, unlatching means for said parts, means carried by one part for controlling 'the explosion of both parts, said launching device including releasing means for the bomb, and means simultaneously controlled with #said releasing means foroperating said unlatching means.

17. The combination of a bomb launching device-*and a bomb comprising two parts latched together and each provided with plosive, unlatchingmeans for said parts, compression spring for initiating the ysep- "aation of the parts when unlatched, ysaid launching means for the bomb including a holding device, and means for simultaneously releasing said holding .device and operatmg said unlatching means.

18. A bomb comprising a forward part and' a rearward part latched together and 4each provided with explosive, firing means for the explosive in each part, a distance connection between the parts, electrical means controlled from the forward part to operate the vfiring means on both parts after separation, an electric circuit through which the firing means are controlled, a parachute mounted on the rearward part a switch in said circuit arranged to be closed by the opening of said parachute to prepare said circuit, and an impact .operative switch on the forward part to complete said firing circuit.

19. A bomb comprising a forward part land a rearward part latched together and each provided with explosive, unlatching means for said parts, means carried by one part for controlling the explosion of both parts,a disabling member carried by the reari ward part, a parachute mounted upon the rearward part and connected to operate the disabling member, and a launching device arranged to simultaneously operate said unlatching'means and initiate the opening of said parachute to enable the latter to cutout said disabling member.

20.- A bomb comprising a forward part and a rearward 'part separably` secured to getherA and eac-h provided with explosive, electrical firing means for the explosive in Veach part, a circuit through which said firing means' are controlled, a source of cur- 'rent forv said circuit, an .impact operated switch in the forward party for completing said circuit, said switch comprising contact springs provided with coperating bends for the inclusion of a detachable member, said member, and contacts for completing said circuit when said member is displaced.v

21. A bomb comprising a forwardpart and a rearward part separably secured together and each provided with explosive,

electrical iring means for the explosive in each part, a circuit through which said firing means are controlled, a source of current for said circuit, an impact operated switch in the forward part for completing said circuit, said switch comprising contact springs each having an arm bent out of the plane thereof to form a socket for a detach-- able member, said'member, and Contact points which are closed by said springs when said member is displaced.

22. A bomb comprising av forward part and a rearward Apart separably secured together and each provided with an explosive,

electrical firingmeans for the explosive in each part, a latchA for connecting said parts, unlatching means for releasing said latch,

-device and a bomb comprisin a rod extending inwardly through the reai- `ward part for operating said unlatching means, and a catch for holding said rod in the unlatching position.

23. The combinationeof a bomb launching device and a bomb comprising a fort ward part and a rearward part latched together and each rovided with explosive,

means for unlatchmg said parts, a distance' .connection between the parts, an electric circuit extending throu h said connections which controls said ring -means and a source of current, la parachute mounted on 'the rearward part, a spring for opening said parachute, said launching means including means for simultaneously performing the unlatching of said parts and releasing saidy release the bomb and for unlatching Said parts. A

25.. A bomb comprising a. forward part each provided with explosive, in combinationwith a launching device provided with and a .rearwardA part latched together and arms for holding-and releasing said bomb, a cam rod for actuating said arms to open a.

and close the same, means for moving said cam rod, and aconnee'tion with said rod .for unlatching the arts of the bomb when'said bomb is rele n Q In testimony whereof I have Ahereunto setl my hand. Y i.

DANIEL G. EDWARDS.y 

